title: Estimation of 10-year probability bone fracture in a selected sample of Palestinian people using fracture risk assessment tool.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The Fracture Risk Assessment (FRAX) tool has been developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) to calculate 10-year probability hip fracture (HP) or major osteoporotic fracture (MOF). The objective of this study was to assess the 10-year probability of MOF and HF among a selected sample of Palestinian people.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 100 subjects was studied. Dual energy X-ray absorpitometry was performed to measure bone mineral density (BMD) which was then inserted into FRAX Palestine online WHO tool to calculate the 10-year probability of MOF and HF.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age of participants was 61.5 years and the majority (79%) were females. The median (interquartile range) of femoral hip BMD was 0.82 (0.76-0.92) g/cm². The mean vertebral and hip T scores were -1.41 ± 0.13 SDs and -0.91 ± 0.10 SDs respectively. About one fifth of the sample (21%) had vertebral osteoporosis and 5% had hip osteoporosis. The median (interquartile range) 10-year probability of MOF and HF based on BMD were 3.7 (2.43-6.18)%, and 0.30 (0.10-0.68)% respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Osteoporosis is common among Palestinian people above 50 years old. Bone fracture prevention strategies and research should be a priority in Palestine. Using FRAX might be a helpful screening tool in primary healthcare centres in Palestine.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pharmacology/ Toxicology, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine. waleedsweileh@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Mai B
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Aker
authors.forename: Adham S Abu
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Taha
authors.forename: Sa'ed H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Zyoud
authors.forename: Ansam F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Sawalha
authors.forename: Samah W
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Al-Jabi
authors.forename: Waleed M
authors.initials: WM
authors.lastname: Sweileh
mesh_terms: D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018912:Arabs; D015519:Bone Density; D003661:Decision Support Techniques; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006620:Hip Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000628:therapy; D058866:Osteoporotic Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D013997:Time Factors